Hanging decoration

ABSTRACT

Decoration, particularly for decoration of Christmas trees, window displays, and the like, adapted to be hung from an overhanging support or adhesively adhered to a surface.

U United States Patent 1191 1111 3,856,609 Maas 1451 Dec. 24, 1974HANGING DECORATION 2,784,512 3/1957 000 1 11111 161/16 [75] Inventor:Fred L- Maas, Stam ord, Conn. 3,440,128 4/1969 Kublhus 161/16 [73]Assignee: Paper Novelty Manufacturing Co.,

Stamford, Conn. Primary Examiner-William E. Schulz [22] Filed: Jan. 14,1974 [21] Appl. No.: 433,343

[ ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 161/16, 41/11 [51] Int. Cl A47q 33/08 Decor in, particularly for decoration of Christmas [58] Field of Search 161/16;46/11 trees, window displays, and the like, adapted to be hung from anoverhanging support or adhesively ad [56] References Cited hered to asurface.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,725 4/1956 Esposito 161/16 8 Claims, 4Drawing Figures HANGING DECORATION This invention relates generally todecorative members and, more particularly, to a decorative deviceadapted to be suspended from overhanging support or adhesively mountedwith a support surface.

In the decoration of Christmas trees, and the like, it has long beenknown to provide decorative items with a ring-like support to enable thedecoration or ornament to be suspended, as by means of a loop of string,a wire hook, or the like, from the branches of the Christmas tree. Inthe decoration of a Christmas tree, it also would be advantageous to theoverall appearance if room surfaces, such as walls adjacent theChristmas tree could also be decorated, easily, economically andconveniently. Similarly, in connection with window displays, and thelike, ornaments are often suspended from overhanging supports and alsomounted on support surfaces to be viewed through the window.

Heretofore, ornaments have been usually specifically designed so as toeither be displayed (1) by hanging from an overhanging support or (2) tobe displayed by mounting on a support surface and ornamants designed foreither of the two aforesaid modes of display are ordinarily not readilyuseable for display in the other modes. Further, decorations used forpackages and the like, have generally not been suitable for any otheruse after the package is received and opened and the expense of suchornaments as are used for decoration of packages is therefore generallywasted following receipt and opening of the package.

Accordingly, bearing in mind the foregoing, it is a primary object ofthe present invention to provide novel and improved ornaments which maybe used interchangeably for suspended display mounted on a surface.

It is another primary object of the present invention, in addition tothe foregoing object, to provide novel and improved ornaments which maybe utilized for the decoration of packages, and the like, andsubsequently further used for ornamentation by being either suspendedfrom a support or mounted for display on a surface.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each ofthe foregoing objects is the provision of such novel and improvedornaments which are economical to manufacture and durable and attractivein use.

Still another object of the present invention, in addition to each ofthe foregoing objects, is the provision of novel mounting means forChristmas and window display ornaments.

Still another primary object of the present invention in addition toeach of the foregoing objects is the provision of novel methods ofdisplay ornaments.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement anddisposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated inan improved element constructed in accordance with the principles ofthis invention. The present invention will be better understood andobjects and important features other than those specifically enumeratedabove will become apparent when consideration is given to the followingdetails and description, which when taken in conjunction with theannexed drawing, describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferredembodiment or modification of the present invention in what is presentlyconsidered and believed to be the best mode of practice of theprinciples thereof.

Other embodiments or modification may be suggested to those having thebenefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments ormodifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall withinthe scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a prospective illustration of a novel andimproved ornament in accordance with the present invention as it mightbe displayed by suspension from an overhanging support such as aChristmas tree branch;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view taken along line22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the ornament shown in FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional planned view taken along line 4-4of FIG. 2 showing the ornament of the present invention mounted on asupport surface for display.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated, anovel ornament constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention and designated generally by the reference character 10which comprises a hollow generally spherical ball-like portion 12 havinga flattened surface 14 and a neck like portion 16 extending outwardly ofa ball-like portion 12 at a generally angular orientation to theflattened surface 14.

While the ornament 10 is shown and illustrated as being of generallyspherical hollow plastic configuration, it is to be expressly understoodthat the present invention is not limited to hollow generally sphericalplastic ornament but, rather, to ornaments of substantially any materialand of any generally three dimensional configuration, whether regular orirregular, providing that they have a flattened surface functionallyequivalent to the flattened surface: 14 and being functionallyequivalent to the neck 16 angularly orientated relative one another toenable display of the ornament by suspension from means connected withthe neck 16 or equivalent means and for display mounted upon asurrporint surface by means associated with the surface 14 or equivalentmeans. Further, it is desirable that there by provided additionaldecorative means, indicia, ornamentation, graphics, color of the like,18, on the surface 12 at least at a location angularly orientatedrelative the neck 16 or equivalent means and the surface 14 orequivalent means so as to present an asthetic appearance when theornament 10 is suspended from the neck 16 or equivalent means and whenthe ornament 10 is displayed by mounting of the surface 14 or equivalentmeans on a display surface. Further, the means 18 is preferably disposedgenerally oppositely the surface 14 so that the means 18 is displayed onat least a front surface of the ornament 10, the surface 14 defines agenerally rear surface of the ornament 10 and the neck 16 defines a topof the ornament 10.

As heretofore pointed out, the top portion defined by the neck 16 hasassociated therewith means, generally designated by the referencecharacter 20 to enable suspension of the ornament 10 from a support suchas a Christmas tree branch 22 and the surface 14 similarly hasassociated therewith means, generally designated by the referencecharacter 24 enabling mounting of the ornament 10 for display on asurface, such as a surface 25.

The means 20 may comprise cap member or escutcheon 26 having a generallycylindrical upwardly extending cavity 28 having a generally open andunobstructed generally circular mount 30 and a generally inwardlydirected generally annular shoulder or ridge 32 therewithin generallyadjacent the mouth 30. The neck portion 16 of the ornament 10 may be ofsubstantially cylindrical configuration having an outside diameterslightly less than the inside diameter of the generally cylindricalcavity 28 and the height of the neck portion 16 may, as shown, be onlyslightly less than the depth of the cavity 28. Hence, the neck portion16 is adapted to be inserted into the cavity 28 so that, upon assemblytherebetween, the cap 26 will tightly fit over the neck 16, as shown.

Means may be further provided securing the neck portion 16 within thecavity 28 and such securing means are preferably defined by resilientinterconnecting means between the neck portion 16 and the cap 20. Hence,as heretofore pointed out, the cap 26 may be provided with a generallyinwardly extending annular ridge 32 and the neck portion 16 may beprovided with a mating generally outwardly extending annular ridge 34 sothat, after assembly of the neck portion 16 within the cavity 28 of thecap 26, the cooperating ridges 32 and 34 effectively prevent disassemblytherebetween. In order to enable assembly, one of the neck portion 16and cap 26 may be fabricated of a resilient material and, preferably,the cap 26 is fabricated of a resilient plastic material.

The cap 20 may be further provided with a generally inverted U-shapedextension 36 having an aperature 38 having an axis generallyperpendicular the axis of the neck portion 16 to enable a hanger, suchas a wire hook 40 to be inserted therethrough and hooked over a supportfor suspension of the ornament 10 as by being hooked over a Christmastree branch 22; hung from a string, or the like. Further, as is believedreadily obvious, if a string, or the like, is utilized to suspend theornament 10, such string or the like, may be passed directly through theaperture 38 and the wire hook 40 be dispensed with.

As heretofore pointed out, the ornament 10 of the present invention is,in addition to being adapted for display by suspension from the neck 16adapted for display by securing of the flattened surface 14 against amating surface 26 which may be defined by a wall of a room, a package, awindow, or the like and means 24 specifically provided in accordancewith this invention to enable such association.

The means 24 may comprise a generally flexible or resilient member 42secured with the surface 14 as by means of a layer of adhesive 44 on oneside thereof and for securement with the support surface 26 by means ofa second layer of adhesive 46 on the other side thereof.

The layers of adhesive 44 and 46 may be of the general class known aspressure-sensitive adhesive with the means 42 defining a support for thetwo layers of pressure-sensitive adhesive 44 and 46 prior to associationwith the ornament l and, additionally, since the means 42 is preferablysoft and resilient enabling and aiding in mounting of the ornamentagainst surfaces 25 which might be somewhat rough or porous to providinga resilient backing for the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 46 andenabling, thereby compensation for minor irregularities in surface 25.

In order to enable the ornament 10 to be shipped, stored, and sold as acomplete and self contained unit, there may be further provided,covering the adhesive layer 46, a cover sheet 48 being only lightlysecured thereto and readily peelable outwardly therefrom as will beapparent to enable the user at the time of mounting of the ornament 10to merely peel off the cover sheet 48 and thereby mount the ornament 10against the supporting surface 25 by pressure of the ornament andadhesive layer 46 thereagainst.

The peripheral configuration of the flattened surface 14, and of themeans 24 may be chosen to provide a sufficient adhesive strength tosupport the ornament 10 and where, as illustrated, the ornament 10 is ofsubstantially spherical configuration, the surface 14 will be ofgenerally circular peripheral configuration and the mounting means 24may similarly be of generally circular peripheral configuration.

Further, where, as illustrated, the ornament 10 comprises a hollowplastic ball which, it will be understood, is of very light weight, themounting means 24 may, as shown, comprise a relatively smalldouble-stick pressure-sensitive adhesively coated disc.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed inpractice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limitedby the precise embodiment or modification herein described, disclosed,illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modification as may besuggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein beingintended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope andbreadth of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. Ornament for display be suspension from above and by securement witha surface comprising, in combination, a three-dimensional ornamenthaving at least a front portion, a top portion and a rear portionwherein said rear portion comprises a substantially flat surfaceangularly disposed relative said top portion, means connected with saidtop portion for enabling suspension of said ornament from above andmeans mounted with said flat surface for enabling mounting of saidornament on a surface for display thereon.

2. Ornament defined in claim 1 further comprising decorative meansdisposed at least generally oppositely said flat surface.

3. Ornament defined in claim 2 comprising a substantially hollow plasticball having a neck portion disposed and extending upwardly of said topportion.

4. Ornament defined in claim 3 wherein said neck portion is of generallycylindrical configuration and is provided with a generally outwardlyextending generally annular rim adjacent the upper and portion thereofdefining a portion of said suspension mounting means and furthercomprising a generally resilient plastic cap having a generallycylindrical cavity extending upwardly therein and being disposed aboutsaid neck portion, said cap being provided with a generally annulargenerally inwardly extending rim generally adjacent the lower endportion thereof for snap-fit engagement with said neck portion rim tosecure said cap with said neck portion.

5. Ornament defined in claim 4 wherein said cap is provided with anintegrally molded generally inverted adhesive layer and said flatsurface and adhesively secured with said flat surface to enablepressure-sensitive adherence of said ornament even against surfaceshaving porosity and irregularities.

8. Ornament defined in claim 7 further comprising a peelable cover sheetextending over said pressuresensitive layer.

1. Ornament for display be suspension from above and by securement witha surface comprising, in combination, a threedimensional ornament havingat least a front portion, a top portion and a rear portion wherein saidrear portion comprises a substantially flat surface angularly disposedrelative said top portion, means connected with said top portion forenabling suspension of said ornament from above and means mounted withsaid flat surface for enabling mounting of said ornament on a surfacefor display thereon.
 2. Ornament defined in claim 1 further comprisingdecorative means disposed at least generally oppositely said flatsurface.
 3. Ornament defined in claim 2 comprising a substantiallyhollow plastic ball having a neck portion disposed and extendingupwardly of said top portion.
 4. Ornament defined in claim 3 whereinsaid neck portion is of generally cylindrical configuration and isprovided with a generally outwardly extending generally annular rimadjacent the upper and portion thereof defining a portion of saidsuspension mounting means and further comprising a generally resilientplastic cap having a generally cylindrical cavity extending upwardlytherein and being disposed about said neck portion, said cap beingprovided with a generally annular generally inwardly extending rimgenerally adjacent the lower end portion thereof for snap-fit engagementwith said neck portion rim to secure said cap with said neck portion. 5.Ornament defined in claim 4 wherein said cap is provided with anintegrally molded generally inverted U-shaped portion having an aperturethereto generally perpendicular the axis of said neck portion forhanging thereby.
 6. Ornament defined in claim 5 wherein said surfacemounting means comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive layerstructurally associated with said flat surface.
 7. Ornament defined inclaim 6 wherein said surface mounting means further comprises agenerally resilient backing sheet disposed between saidpressure-sensitive adhesive layer and said flat surface and adhesivelysecured with said flat surface to enable pressure-sensitive adherence ofsaid ornament even against surfaces having porosity and irregularities.8. Ornament defined in claim 7 further comprising a peelable cover sheetextending over said pressure-sensitive layer.